Dear Common Dreams Readers: Common Dreams is a small non-profit that exists only because of the support of our readers. No advertising; no paywalls: our content is free. But our costs are real. A free and independent press is essential to the health of a functioning democracy. Independent journalism and democracy itself have never been more fragile, more at risk than now. Without your support, we will not exist. Will you join again with those readers who have come forward to make sure Common Dreams has a future?Every donation makes a difference.

Iranian Americans to Hold Press Conference and Vigil in Honor of Shayan Mazroei

For Immediate Release

Iranian Americans to Hold Press Conference and Vigil in Honor of Shayan Mazroei

WASHINGTON - The family of slain Iranian-American college student Shayan Mazroei will hold a press conference Monday, September 28, 12 p.m., at 2955 Main Street in Irvine to urge authorities to investigate Mazroei's death as a hate crime. Members of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB) and the local Iranian-American community, will also join together that evening to honor Mazroei during a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. outside the Orange County District Attorney's Office (401 W Civic Center Dr., Santa Ana).

Mazroei, 22, was brutally murdered earlier this month at the hands of avowed white supremacist, Craig Tanber, who is currently in police custody. According to news reports, Tanber stabbed Mazroei outside of a bar in Laguna Niguel in the early hours of September 7. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the murder was motivated by hate, with Mazroei’s friends alleging that the altercation began with racist insults hurled at Mazroei.

“This tragic incident reflects the broader problem of bigotry and racism in our country, and highlights the rise of discrimination and hate crimes against people of Middle Eastern descent,” said Elham Khatami, NIAC’s National Outreach Director. “As we mourn Shayan’s passing, we urge prosecutors to take motive into consideration with the hope that Shayan is granted the justice he so deserves.”

A coalition of civil rights, faith, and advocacy groups, including NIAC, IAAB, Friends Committee on National Legislation, and the Council on American Islamic Relations, submitted a letter to the Department of Justice this week, urging the agency to undertake an open and rigorous federal hate crime investigation into the killing of Mazroei.

"It is a tragedy that such a senseless act of violence has resulted in the loss of life of a young Iranian-American man. Reports that such violence was committed as a direct result of Mr. Mazroei's Iranian heritage are a painful reminder that racism, bigotry, and extremism persist in our day and age," the letter reads. "We hope that the U.S. Department of Justice will join us ... by making a commitment to eradicate bias-motivated crimes and send a clear message to the American people that minority communities should not be left feeling vulnerable or isolated as a result of such acts of violence occurring in our communities."

###

The National Iranian American Council is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Iranian-American community. We accomplish our mission by supplying the resources, knowledge and tools to enable greater civic participation by Iranian Americans and informed decision making by lawmakers.

Further

In the vile wake of Charlottesville - those sweaty young white men, pasty faces contorted, screaming, "Blood and Soil!" "Jews Will Not Replace Us!" "Fuck You Faggots!" - what to say? Just this: This is racism, domestic terrorism, pure hate. This is not who we are, and this is not ok. Most vital, those "whose pigmentation matches theirs" must speak "with unflinching clarity (or) we simply amen it... They need white faces speaking directly into their white faces, loudly on behalf of love."

Common Dreams brings you the news that matters.

Sign up for Newsletter

Connect With Us

X

Your Support Makes A Difference: Over 90% of the Common Dreams budget comes from reader support. We rely on you. Will you join again with those readers who have come forward to make sure Common Dreams has a future? We can't do it without you.